THE EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13888, 24 October 1905, Page 2

THE EXHIBITION.

MR DONNE’S WORK ABROAD. A SATISFACTORY REPORT. Mr G. S. Monro, Executive Exhibition Oonimissipner, has received a copy of Mr Donne’s report to the Government outlining the .scope ot Ins worn abroad. ~ Among other matters, Mr Donne states that the manufacturers wutn whom he conferred in the United States, almost without exception, expressed a willingness to send exhibits. He had a long interview with the late Secretary of State, Mr John Hay, wl c said that Government representation would be considered. ■ Dr Wilson, Direotor-in-Chief of the Government Commercial Museum at Philadelphia, and the chiefs of the Pennsylvania Museum, the Field Columbian Museum, Chicago,' and the New York N atural History Museum said that they would help as much as- possible. At St Louie Blr Donne saw those who were in charge of amusements on. the Tike (tne amusement street of Louisiana Purchase Exposition) , and .they promised to give full consideration to the subject, although most of them expressed an opinion that their shows were too large for Christchurch and that the financial results would not he adequate. There is a probability of Hagenback s splendid animail show coming to _ the Exhibition, Mr Donne having com-, municated with the- American renresentatives of the undcrt-aking. Mr Donne attended the Sportsmen s Show in Madison Square Gardens, New York, in February. He interviewed all the exhibitors there, and secured proraises of exhibits and sporting goods in the shape of guns, rifles, ammunition, fishing rods and appurtenances and camping requisites, as well as a live exhibit of water fowl. and icther birds.' In England he had gratifying responses to a personal canvass amongst manufacturers and traders in large centres. In nearly every instance those interviewed said that they would either exhibit directly or through their colonial agents, or woulo give the fullest consideration to the matter on the receipt of the prospectus. Some firms wanted to apply .for space there and then, but as Mr Donne was not in possession of full particulars or plans that could not- be arranged. When •xjssfblo he called on the .Lord Mayors and Mayors of the.cities he visited in Treat Britain, and in ©very case his ©reposals that they should bring_ the information in regard to the Exhibition before the citizens were received with ■ordial interest. He waited on a large number of shipping people, and those trading to New Zealand said that they would "bo pleased to make special arrangements for conveying exhibits at reduced rates. The Hon W. P. Reeves, High Commissioner, was keenly inxious to do all lie could to promote the interests of the Exhibition, and undertook' to make representation Through the proper channels with a view to getting a British commission' set up. There is every reason to believo that that will materialise. Mr Reeves also said that he would endeavour to secure important w r orks of irt, and several Loudon artists expressed to Mr Donne their intention of sending pictures. Two prominent dealers in tea informed him that they vere considering the question..©! erecting tea kiosks at Christchurch. Both Inns intend to put these up in oriental nanner, and to serve tea with Indian servants dressed in native costume, 'iossrs Book and Payne, the largest ireworks exhibitors in the world, are rilling to make pyrotechnic displays, uicl have made definite proposals. Mr Donne also details the steps he took e advertise the Exhibition on the Continent. He says, in conclusion: “In ny opinion, if proper publicity is given throughout the United States, Canada, Great Britain, and the Continent, to K e fact that this Exhibition is to be held, -with some additional particulars

as to scenery, climate, accommodation, and means of transport, not only will there be a very large number of ex. hibits, but nK« n ur flow of ,